Family Update

I hope everyone had a wonderful Resurrection Day this year!  This is the most significant holiday for our family as it reminds us that we WILL see our Kara Faith again.  Jesus Christ made this possible when He died for our sins on the cross.  I think I missed church for the 1st time ever on Easter Sunday due to children with the stomach flu.  Last Friday through this Monday we have had 3 children sick off and on.  Max and Eden have not come down with it yet!

I am so excited that Celeste will be flying in on May 20th for a 2 week visit with us.  I have missed her greatly and we all look forward to her being home again!  Celeste is doing well in college in Illinois.  She has been accepted to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for the fall semester.  Please pray for her as she has struggled with her JRA, vision problems, and shingles for the past several months.  She appears to be feeling better lately.  Celeste has been singing at her church and is now writing songs with her brother, Jamie.

                                                                        Celeste, 19

Jamie is doing an excellent job at his new high school.  He took his lovely girlfriend, Amanda, to Prom a couple weeks ago.  He is supposed to be spending the month of July with us and I can't wait!!!  I miss his funny disposition, helpful attitude, and interesting stories.  He turns 17 in about a month.  Where does the time go?

                                                      Amanda & Jamie ready for Prom

In the past few months we have had several birthdays.  Max turned 10 in February, Dan turned 12 in early April, and Joshua turned 3 about 10 days ago.  (Stu had a birthday, too, but he's not telling his age.  Haha!)  Dan, Max, and Tommy are playing baseball this year.  This has kept us quite busy!!  They are on three different teams.  Tommy is really enjoying his first year playing T-ball.  Dan is in his 5th year playing for our small town and Max is in his 3rd year.
                                                                Max, before the game

                                                          
                                                                   Dan in the dugout

                                                                  Tommy warms up!

Eden is in worship dance and ballet this year.  She just loves to dance!  I have really been tickled to have a little girl to do "girlie" things with again.  It makes me miss Celeste and our Kara a little less.  I am thankful God gave me the blessing of Eden.  Eden will begin kindergarten with our homeschool this fall!!  She is the 6th child I have homeschooled and she is looking forward to it.

                                                                Our sweet Eden Joy

Joshua just turned 3 and is my youngest boy to potty train.  He was out of diapers about a week before his birthday.  I figured that I have had kids in diapers for a total of 17 years, so this is a major milestone for me.  It is kind of sad not to have a baby in the house anymore, though.  Joshua is the sweetest little guy!  He is very funny and had a laid back personality.  He really reminds me of Jamie when he was little.

                                                                       Joshua, age 3